"That was more than fifty," Aiden said, noticing that Damien held back.
"They were leaving and putting on quite the show. Wouldn’t you like to see the town guards attacking each other?" Damien asked, watching the guards run with their tails between their legs.
"I would. I would have liked to kill a few too," Aiden said, disappointed he could not use his gun. "Princess," he said, standing up straight.
"Keep your guards up. I have a feeling that they will return, or someone close to Victor who wants revenge. You must be careful with who enters my home. There is always the chance of spies amongst the workers," said Penelope.
Penelope looked ahead to where the guards mounted their horses to leave. She was relieved that they had heeded her warning and weren’t going to continue with a fight.
"I must go back with my husband," Penelope said, leaving Damien in control.
Matilda followed Penelope back to the stairs.
"Milady!" Matilda called, reaching for Penelope when she almost slipped.
Penelope touched her forehead. Matilda’s calls echoed in her head, but she needed a moment.
"I am quite tired," Penelope spoke softly.
Instead of having to face the town guards or visiting Warren, Penelope wanted to enjoy her days with Tyrion.
"I thought I would find some joy in torturing Warren, but I don’t feel anything now that my talk with him is over. I don’t find any joy in proving my worth to the town guards. I simply feel tired," Penelope said, her body drained.
"You are not one to wish bad on others," Matilda said, angry that her lady was in this state. "The duchess always said that revenge isn’t satisfying each time."
"She does. Matilda, tell Damien to stop torturing Warren and let him rest. We already have him captive, and I don’t want to hear of Warren anymore. I don’t want to hear about the town guards either. Is it too much to ask that I have peace?" Penelope wondered.
Penelope wanted a moment to enjoy her marriage with Tyrion without any disturbance.
There had been issue after issue, and now Penelope felt like she didn’t get the chance to thoroughly enjoy the early days of her marriage.
"Matilda, don’t speak of this with my husband. It will only worry him, and now is a time for him to rest. Do as I told you and bring a jar of water to my room. I can walk alone," Penelope said after Matilda wouldn’t move.
Matilda slowly made her way back down the stairs, keeping an eye on Penelope.
Fortunately, Penelope made it back to the chamber without stumbling.
"You are back faster than I expected. Do you bring good news?" Tyrion asked, ready to tease Penelope. "Penelope," he said, noticing there was something off about her.
Penelope climbed up onto the bed and laid beside Tyrion. She held his hand, so she knew that he was right there beside her, where he belonged.
Penelope closed her eyes, enjoying the peace which always filled this room.
Tyrion said nothing and only brushed her hair out of her face. He imagined the talk with the town guards had been nothing but draining.
"I sent them away, but one of them wouldn’t take no for an answer. I like it when it is just the two of us," said Penelope.
Tyrion knew the continuous challenges they faced were going to get to Penelope, but he didn’t think it would be so soon. "What is it that troubles you? Is it the guards, the kills, or perhaps Warren?"
"All of them. I don’t want to hear about each one anymore. The town guards ruin my mood, and I gain nothing from torturing Warren. He has lost his eyes, and I will let it be enough. I want to focus on us," Penelope said, opening her eyes to look at Tyrion.
Penelope wanted to live in bliss where she would only think of her family.
"We should be focused only on our marriage. Is it for others? To be so bothered by other people? It was the court at first, then Cassius, then Warren, the townspeople, and now the guards. I have not even thought of the other ladies," Penelope said.
Penelope rolled onto her back. She had somehow forgotten how she clashed with many of her peers.
"There are many gatherings we must attend as Castros," Penelope sighed.
"We have the excuse that I am injured," Tyrion said, raking his finger through Penelope’s hair. "Would you like to go out of town with me?"
"We cannot leave yet. We agreed to stay until the killer is caught. I wouldn’t be at ease if something happens and I am far away," Penelope replied, her fingers twisting Tyrion’s ring.
"We wouldn’t be gone for long. There is a home my family owns away from the palace that no one is allowed to enter. No guards, no one from the court, and no townspeople. The palace guards won’t let anyone get close to bother us. I can arrange it," Tyrion offered.
"I do like the sound of it. We mustn’t let news of what happens around the town reach us unless it concerns our family. You would heal well there," Penelope said, her mood starting to change. "We should have thought of this long ago."
"My father has permission to enter as he pleases. He would arrange that everyone be there at the same time so he could interrupt us. We shall inform him at the last second that we are using it," Tyrion said, planning to avoid extra guests.
"I shall see to it that you won’t hear the faintest gossip from around the town. Our focus shall be on each other," Tyrion promised.
"Each other and your shoulder. We shall need to take the doctor with us so he can tend to your wound. I shall speak of it now," Penelope said, sitting up to get off the bed.
Tyrion grabbed Penelope’s hand before she could get off the bed. "You’re a slippery little thing. First, you left me alone last night, ran off to speak to the guards alone, and now you want to go to the doctor. Have I lost your interest?"
"You are a child. We have taken the doctor away from his family, so I wished to give him time to inform them he would be away longer. I shall stay here for a moment longer as long as you behave," Penelope said, claiming the right of Tyrion where she laid.
Penelope eyed Tyrion’s bandages. "I cannot wait for the moment you will not be bandaged. Hands to yourself," Penelope said, swatting his hand away. "Not until you have healed."